The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is working with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in a nationwide campaign to educate Americans about the dangers of radon exposure and to encourage citizens to take action to protect their homes and families. HUD has designated June asNational Healthy Homes Month, and this year’s theme “Check Your Home; Protect Your Family” was chosen to create awareness of what it means to have a healthy home.
Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium inside the earth. Radon is dispersed in outdoor air but can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
DEQ encourages Oklahomans to take action during National Healthy Homes Month by testing their homes for radon. For a free test kit, contact DRHOMEAIR at 1-800-324-5928 or www.drhomeair.com/ok.
